Three ultrasound guided lymph node injections safe in teens

(Press Release)

Houston, TX – Researchers have new evidence that grass-pollen allergies can be safely treated using American extracts injected into a lymph node (intralymphatic immunotherapy or ILIT).

ILIT treatments, which require only three injections and target specific lymph nodes, have already demonstrated their safety and efficacy in European trials involving adults.

“We wanted to explore the treatment using extracts commercially available in the United States,” explained Amber M. Patterson, MD, first author.

Clinicians enrolled 15 teens to complete the grass-pollen ILIT trials in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled pilot trial and assigned total safety scores by assessing the patients for adverse events two hours, five hours, and one week after each injection.

“ILIT injections were remarkably well-tolerated, and parents appreciated the convenience of only three injections to treat their children’s allergies,” according to Patterson.

Extracts were administered into the right, inguinal (groin) lymph node by ultrasound during three visits, each at least four weeks apart. Treatment consisted of escalating doses of grass pollen extract or saline.

All participants completed the injections and there was no difference in total safety scores between active treatment and placebo groups.

“This could revolutionize immunotherapy treatments by offering a convenient and safe option for our patients who have difficulty adhering to the traditional allergy shot schedule,” Patterson explained.

For more information on allergies, traditional allergy shots or the Annual Meeting please visit the AAAAI website.

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